Timmins hosts annual Khalsa Day Parade, welcomes future Sikh police officer
The Sikh Sangat of Timmins hosted its second annual Khalsa Day Parade Saturday complete with prayers, tasty vegetarian food and the bridging of cultures.
This year, organizers invited Indigenous singers to help them launch the event.
Timmins hosted its second annual Khalsa Day parade Saturday in a beautiful celebration of Sikh culture. (Image courtesy of the Timmins Downtown BIA/Facebook)Khalsa Day is an opportunity for Sikhs to share their ways of life with a community that's embraced them.
"We believe this is our responsibility to be part of the community and to protect our community and to serve our community as well,” said Kanwaljit Bains, member of the Sikh Sangat of Timmins.
- Download the CTV News app now and get local alerts on your device
- Get local breaking news and updates sent to your email inbox
The parade is the main event and is a feast for the senses. It also gave participants a chance to meet the city's first Sikh police officer.
Cadet Isahn Bhullar from Brampton, Ont. is currently in training at the Ontario Police College.
Cadet Bhullar got one day of paid leave and he chose to come to where he'll be launching his police career.
“Being here today actually gave me a great boost in confidence,” said Cadet Bhullar.
“I met so many people here and that’s a platform that I can make my own connections because I have to deal in this community and that was the reason as to why I chose that one option to use it right now for this beautiful event."
Bhullar has eight more weeks of police college and upon graduation, he'll be officially moving to Timmins to work.
“He’s very personable, he’s very friendly, (has) many questions and you have a true sense that he enjoys the police service and enjoys coming up to Timmins," said Sergeant Lorne Yee, recruitment officer for the Timmins Police Service.
“I think Timmins, the weather is cold, but the people are warm right so that’s what pulls you back, that’s what pulls you right here," said Bhullar.
He said the fact there is a welcoming Gurdwara in Timmins was a major factor in deciding to accept a job in the city.
CTVNews.ca Top Stories

India suspends visa services in Canada and rift widens between countries
India's visa processing centre in Canada suspended services Thursday as a rift widened between the countries after Canada's leader said India may have been involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen.
From Centre Ice Conservatives to Canadian Future, a new federal party takes shape
The interim leader of Canada's newest federal party says he wants it to be an option for people who are tired of both the governing Liberals and the "rage farming" coming from the Conservatives.
Cutting obituary for B.C. man thanks karma for 'doing what she does best'
Few obituaries begin with the words, "I am pleased to announce" – but Amanda Denis believes in blunt honesty.
Cross-country rallies against 'gender ideology' in schools meet with counter-protests
Thousands of people gathered in cities across Canada on Wednesday for competing protests, screaming and chanting at each other about school policies on gender identity.
Video shows officer repeatedly discussed charging 11-year-old victim with child sexual abuse offence
A Columbus police officer summoned to a home by a father concerned his 11-year-old daughter was being solicited by an adult man repeatedly asserted that the girl could face charges for sending explicit images of herself.
Canada showcases tragic wildfire season to promote carbon pricing initiative at UN
The federal government is hoping Canada's devastating wildfire season sparks momentum for carbon pricing at the United Nations.
Younger Canadians are not having children. Here's why, according to Statistics Canada
Younger Canadians are being impacted by many compounding issues including the high cost of living, which is one of the reasons they aren't having children, a new report by Statistics Canada shows.
Russia strikes cities from east to west Ukraine, starting fires and killing at least 2
Russian missiles pounded cities across Ukraine early Thursday morning, according to authorities, sparking fires, killing at least two people and trapping others under rubble, and Ukrainian ally Poland said it would stop providing weapons amid a trade dispute.
Immediately stop using these child safety seats: Health Canada
Health Canada has issued a safety advisory asking Canadians to immediately stop using certain child safety seats due to injury risks.